Lord's Supper - The Atoning Blood - Senior Pastor JD Davis - 10/19/25

Today, we gathered to reflect deeply on the meaning and necessity of the shed blood of Jesus, especially as we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper. Drawing from Leviticus 17, we see that God established a pattern in the Old Testament: the life of the flesh is in the blood, and it is blood that makes atonement for the soul. The sacrificial system, with its repeated offerings and the shedding of animal blood, was always pointing forward to something greater—the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.

Sin is not a trivial matter; it is an offense so serious that it separates us from God, causing Him to turn His face away. The Old Testament sacrifices were a temporary covering, a picture of the ultimate atonement that would come through the Messiah. When Jesus hung on the cross and cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was bearing the full weight of our sin and experiencing the separation that our rebellion deserves. This is a mystery we cannot fully comprehend, but it reveals the depth of both our need and God’s provision.

Atonement is more than forgiveness; it is a ransom, a propitiation, a gift that restores relationship. Our souls—our nefesh, our appetites and desires—are bent toward self, always grasping for “mine.” The blood of Jesus not only covers our guilt but also transforms our nature. When we trust in Christ, the Holy Spirit enters our lives, changing us from the inside out. We move from living for ourselves to living for Him, from “mine, mine, mine” to “His, His, His.”

The Lord’s Supper is a powerful reminder of these truths. The bread represents Christ’s sinless life, the only life worthy to be our substitute. The cup represents His death, the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. We do this in remembrance—not as a mere ritual, but as a call to gratitude, transformation, and hope. The resurrection assures us that the sacrifice was accepted, and because He lives, we have hope beyond the grave.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The seriousness of sin is seen in how it separates us from God, demanding a price that only the shedding of blood can pay. God’s holiness means He cannot simply overlook sin; it must be atoned for, and only the blood of Christ is sufficient to cover our offense and restore us to relationship with Him. [31:35]
• 2. Atonement is not just about forgiveness, but about propitiation—a gift that satisfies the demands of justice and brings reconciliation. Jesus is our propitiation, the one who bore the wrath we deserved, so that we could be brought near to God and experience true peace with Him. [30:45]
• 3. Our souls are naturally bent toward self-centeredness, always seeking to claim and consume for ourselves. The blood of Jesus not only forgives but also transforms, enabling us to move from a posture of “mine” to a life surrendered to God’s purposes, as the Holy Spirit reshapes our desires. [38:10]
• 4. The Old Testament sacrificial system was a shadow, pointing to the ultimate reality found in Christ. While repeated sacrifices could never fully cleanse, the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient to cover every sin, offering us a secure and eternal atonement that does not need to be repeated. [46:49]
• 5. The Lord’s Supper is a living reminder of both the cost and the hope of our salvation. The bread and the cup call us to remember Christ’s perfect life, His sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection, inviting us to live in gratitude, transformation, and the hope of an empty grave. [59:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:52] - Personal Story: The Stained Sweatshirt
• [26:11] - The Significance of Blood in Scripture
• [27:09] - Reading Leviticus 17:10-11
• [28:06] - The Role of Leviticus and the Priestly Order
• [29:25] - Sacrifice and the Pattern for Christ
• [30:03] - Understanding Atonement
• [31:35] - The Offense of Sin and Separation from God
• [32:54] - Jesus’ Cry of Forsakenness on the Cross
• [35:37] - Atonement for Our Souls: The Problem of Nefesh
• [38:10] - The Bent Nature of Our Souls
• [39:14] - The Passover and the Power of the Blood
• [40:21] - The Transforming Work of the Holy Spirit
• [43:10] - From Tabernacle to Indwelling Presence
• [44:26] - Remembering Christ in the Lord’s Supper
• [46:16] - Jesus: The Once-for-All Sacrifice
• [57:11] - The Bread: Christ’s Sinless Life
• [59:23] - The Cup: Christ’s Sacrificial Death
• [61:23] - Living in Remembrance
• [62:12] - The Hope of the Resurrection

Bible Reading

Leviticus 17:10-11 (ESV) — > “If anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”

Matthew 27:46 (ESV) — > “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

1 Corinthians 11:25 (ESV) — > “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”

Observation Questions

1. According to Leviticus 17:11, what is the purpose of blood in the sacrificial system?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say happens when someone tries to make a sacrifice outside of God’s instructions? ([32:21])
3. What does Jesus cry out on the cross, and why is this moment significant? ([33:23])
4. What do the bread and the cup represent in the Lord’s Supper, as explained in the sermon? ([57:27] and [59:23])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that sin is so serious it causes God to “turn His face away” and cut people off. What does this teach about God’s view of sin and our need for atonement? ([31:35])
2. The pastor describes atonement as more than forgiveness—it’s a ransom and a propitiation. How does this understanding deepen the meaning of what Jesus did for us? ([30:45])
3. The sermon talks about our souls (nefesh) being bent toward “mine, mine, mine.” Why is it important that the blood of Jesus not only forgives but also transforms us? ([38:10])
4. The Lord’s Supper is described as a living reminder, not just a ritual. What does it mean to “do this in remembrance” of Jesus, and how should that affect our attitude and actions? ([44:53])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that our sin nature is always grasping for “mine.” Can you think of a recent situation where you acted out of self-centeredness? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? ([38:10])
2. The sermon says that only the blood of Jesus is enough to cover our sin and restore our relationship with God. Are there ways you’ve tried to “earn” forgiveness or make up for your mistakes on your own? How can you rest in what Jesus has already done? ([40:07])
3. When you take the Lord’s Supper, do you find yourself just going through the motions, or do you truly remember the cost and hope of your salvation? What could help you approach communion with a more grateful and reflective heart? ([44:53])
4. The pastor mentioned that the Holy Spirit enters our lives and begins to change us from the inside out. Is there an area of your life where you need the Holy Spirit’s transforming power right now? How can you invite Him to work in that area? ([41:45])
5. Jesus experienced separation from God on the cross so we wouldn’t have to. How does this truth affect the way you view your own sin and God’s love for you? ([33:23])
6. The resurrection means that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted and that we have hope beyond the grave. How does this hope shape the way you face challenges, grief, or uncertainty in your life? ([01:02:12])
7. The pastor encouraged keeping the communion cup somewhere visible as a reminder. Is there a practical way you can remind yourself daily of Christ’s sacrifice and your new life in Him? ([01:01:11])